Vijayendra Sinhrao Ghatge, popularly known as VIJAYENDRA is the son of Princess Sita Raje Ghatge daughter of Maharaja Tukoji Rao Holkar of Indore & Col. F.D Ghatge who is from the Sardar Kagal Jr. Family of Kolhapur. Educated in the Daly College, Indore, he was the Head Prefect & Sword of Honour holder (Flight Sergeant Airwing NCC). After doing B.Com Honours (Management) from Sydenham College of Commerce, Bombay he passed out with Flying Colors in the Acting course from the F.T.I.I. Pune. In 1976 Vijayendra started his film career and after a brief but intense struggle he got his first break in Rajshri's CHITCHOR, a small off beat musical romance directed by Basu Chatterjee. Chitchor went out to become a hit and VIJAYENDRA's film career was launched on an auspicious note. Chitchor was followed by an interesting mystery thriller Agar... Shayad, Nazrana Pyar Ka were followed by the Superhit Kasme Vaade. VIJAYENDRA's career graph has shown a steady graph-over the years with mix of mega hits, off beat films and pioneering low budget and experimental cinema. VIJAYENDRA's first break with the media started with him modeling while still in college. He was crowned The "Sea Lord" at the Naval Ball held at the United Services Club and went on to model in some significant campaigns for Wills, Erasmic super silver and prominent suiting brands amongst others. VIJAYENDRA also walked the ramp for The Terene Mega Fashion Festival, one of the pioneering live Fashion Events of the seventies.
Television
He also acted in some important TV serials like
- He played the role of Vrushbhaan in the very famous TV series named Buniyaad by Ramesh Sippy
- Sinhasan Battisi
- Talaash
- Junoon
Movies
VIJAYENDRA has worked with some of India's top directors and producers :
Raj Kapoor directed him in the super hit Prem Rog, L.V. Prasad's Mera Ghar Mere Bacheche was a remake of a hit South Indian film which also starred Smita Patil, Kamal Amrohi's Razia Sultan saw Vijayendra in the role of Altunia crossing swords with Dharmendra.
Most people agree that VIJAYENDRA's role of Lala Vrishbhan in Ramesh Sippy's Buniyaad was his best performance. As Lala Vrishbhan he portrayed a dashing young man of 23 who falls in love with Kiran Juneja and then ages to his seventies, portraying an old man hit by stroke. This role has romance, drama, emotion, and sacrifice and VIJAYENDRA portrayed this role with gusto, energy and a rare sensitivity.
He was awarded the UPTRON BEST ACTORS AWARD for his brilliant performance in Hrishikesh Mukharjee's "Talaash" opposite Maushumi Chatterjee.
Vijayendra was chosen to star in The International Miniseries MISSION OF LOVE in the role of a Maharaja Opposite the American actress Carole Alt. This Miniseries was loosely based on the Life story of Mother Teresa.